The Revelstoke-based RCRW project plans to build a maternity pen adjacent to Lake Revelstoke where pregnant caribou will be guarded during their term and until their young are established. The project has received support from a coalition of stakeholders, including representatives from forestry, backcountry recreation, conservation and government organizations.

“Revelstoke Caribou Rearing in the Wild Society thanks Shell and the public for supporting our community-based project to improve caribou calf survival,” he said. “With these funds, we can now complete the construction of the maternity pen that will protect mountain caribou and calves at their most vulnerable time. These funds will help with veterinary care, animal care supplies, and nutritional supplements for caribou while they are housed in the pen.”

Shell Canada president Lorraine Mitchelmore said the FuellingChange fund empowered not-for-profit organizations to build a sustainable future. FuellingChange is about being proactive and discovering what environmental projects our customers care about,” she said in a statement.

The RCRW will receive the funds in the coming weeks, and is seeking additional funding this summer. The plan is to construct the pen this summer.

The group is targeting to have the first wave of caribou in the pen by March of 2014.

They’ve received additional funding, including a $50,000 grant from the Columbia Basin Trust and additional funding from the B.C. government.